Brighter Days Ahead for U.S. Beef Exports

January 13, 2020 | Volume 93

U.S. beef exports have trailed year-ago levels for each of the first 10 months of 2019, but there is growing optimism that international demand for U.S. beef will improve in 2020.

The latest positive development occurred in December, when Japan finalized approval of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. This will improve the competitive position of U.S. beef in Japan by allowing the same market access as nations participating in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

In the News

Concerns Continue About ASF Entering the US

“We've been worried about these foreign animal diseases for years, and African swine fever (ASF) is just the icing on the cake,” Said Dr. Patrick Webb, Director of Swine Health Programs with the National Pork Board. “From a regulatory standpoint, USDA plays a critical role when a country says, “Yes, we have African swine fever.” A lot of rules go into place that help prevent the potential entry of that virus into the United States.”

CBP Agriculture K9 Detects Prohibited Animal Products in Philadelphia

“Potter,” a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture detector dog, helped seize nearly 14 pounds of prohibited food products at the Philadelphia International Airport in December.

NSAC on Clarity of Animal Raising Label Claims

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) recently issued long delayed guidance on meat and poultry labels that make claims about how the animals were raised, such as grass-fed beef or pasture raised poultry.

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